Richardson Hunting for New Consultant

Here's a 2008 tidbit that has everyone in the Democratic consulting world all a-twitter of late.

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D), who is very much in the mix as a potential candidate for president, is interviewing a handful of Democratic media consulting firms with an eye on winning reelection next year and then turning his focus to a national race.

Richardson's political director, Amanda Cooper, confirmed that "we are in the process of interviewing a number of consultants for a number of different things. The Governor wants to make sure we pick the right people."

So what does this mean for Doc Schweitzer of the Campaign Group, who handled Richardson's television strategy in 2002? Well, according to the Fix's sources, Schweitzer will be allowed to re-interview for the job but will be joined in the competition by several other firms, including Murphy Putnam Shorr, GMMB, Strother Duffy Strother and Bill Knapp, a partner in Squier Knapp Dunn.

Richardson ultimate decision will have a major impact in the talent primary -- the battle for top campaign strategists that is one of the most behind-the-scenes, but vitally important, parts of the run-up to the 2008 presidential race.